International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 – December 03

The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) is observed across the globe on 3rd December to raise awareness, promote understanding, and support the rights, dignity, and well-being of persons with disabilities (PwDs) across all spheres of society.

• A disability is a condition that limits a person’s physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, or mental abilities.

Theme:

2025 Theme: “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress”
Focus: The 2025 theme focuses on building societies that include persons with disabilities in all aspects of life, ensuring their equal participation and contribution to social progress.

Background: 

Establishment: In 1992, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/47/3 to establish the observance of the IDPwD.

First Observance: The International Day of Disabled Persons was first observed on 3rd December 1992.

Renaming: In December 2007, the UN, through resolution A/RES/62/127 under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), renamed it the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD), observed under this title since 2008.

2025 Event: 

Global Event: On December 3, 2025, the main commemoration event was held virtually at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the United States of America (USA), bringing together UN Member States, UN leaders, and disability advocates to discuss achievements to date and future challenges in advancing disability rights and inclusion.

Event in India:At IDPwD 2025, the President of India Droupadi Murmu presented National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in New Delhi (Delhi) on 3 December 2025.

About National Awards 2025:

Award Category: The National Awards 2025 was presented in two major categories with multiple subcategories:

National Awards for Individual Excellence:

• Sarvshresth Divyangjan (Most Outstanding Persons with Disabilities)
• Shresth Divyangjan (Outstanding Persons with Disabilities)
• Shresth Srijansheel Divyang Bal/Balika (Outstanding Creative Child with Disabilities)
• Divyangjano Ke Sashaktikaran Ke Liye Karyarat Sarvshresth Vyakti (Most Outstanding Person working for the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities)
• Divyangata Ke Kshetra Mein Karyarat Sarvshresth Punarvas Peshewar (Most Outstanding Rehabilitation Professional)
• Divyangata Ke Kshetra Mein Sarvshresth Anusandhan/Navpravartan/Utpad Vikas (Most Outstanding Research/Innovation/Product Development)

National Awards for Institutional Excellence:
Grand Total:

• Divyangjano Ke Sashaktikaran Mein Karyrat Sarvshresth Sansthan (Most Outstanding Institution)
• Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshresth Niyokta (Most Outstanding Employer)
• Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshresth Placement Agency (Most Outstanding Placement agency)
• Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan Ke Karyanvayan/Badhamukt Vatavaran Ke Srijan Mein Sarvshresth Rajya/UT/Zila ((Most Outstanding State/UT/District)
• Sarvshresth Sugamya Yatayat/Soochna Evam Sanchar Prodyogiki (Most Outstanding accessible means of transport/Information and Communication Technology)
• Divyangjano Ke Adhikar Adhiniyam/UDID & Yojanaon ke Karyanvayan Mein Sarvshresth Rajya/UT/Zila (Most Outstanding State/UT/District in implementation of RPwD Act/UDID)
• Divyangjano Ke Adhikar Adhiniyam, 2016 Ke Apne Rajya Mein Karyanvayan Mein Sarvshresth Rajya Divyangjan Aayukt ((Most Outstanding State Commissioner)
• Punarvas Peshewaron Ke Vikas Mein Sanlagn Sarvshresth Sangathan ((Most Outstanding Organization)

To read the full award list

India’s Disability Initiatives:

Legal Framework: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, replaced the 1995 Act, recognising 21 disabilities, mandating reservation, and ensuring accessibility and inclusion.
SIPDA: The Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (SIPDA), under Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJE) provides financial and technical support to ministries, states, and Union Territories (UTs) for PwD inclusion.
Sugamya Bharat: Launched on 3 December 2015, the Accessible India Campaign ensures accessibility in infrastructure, transport, and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Sugamya App: The revamped Sugamya Bharat App (Application), launched by DEPwD, MSJE, at the International Purple Fest 2025, serves as a digital accessibility hub with mapping, grievance redressal, scheme directories, and multi-language support.
UDID: The Unique ID (identification) (UDID) for Persons with Disabilities project issues identity cards with 18-digit, centralises data, and improves access to government benefits.
Divyangjan Card: The Divyangjan Card, or E-Ticketing Photo Identity Card (EPICS), is an Indian Railways identity card for persons with disabilities that enables online booking of concessional tickets using a unique 11-digit identification (ID) number.
PM-DAKSH: The Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) DEPwD portal offers skill development and employment opportunities for PwDs through Divyangjan Kaushal Vikas and Rozgar Setu modules.
Divya Kala Mela: The 26th Divya Kala Mela held in Patna Bihar from 23-31 August 2025, provides economic empowerment and cultural platforms for Divyang artisans under the “Vocal for Local” initiative.
Purple Fest: Purple Fest 2025 in Goa in October 2025, showcased inclusion, accessibility, assistive technology, and educational initiatives for PwDs.
ISL Promotion: Indian Sign Language Research & Training Centre (ISLRTC) promotes ISL through digital repositories, DTH (Direct-to-Home) Channel 31, apps, and instructional videos.
ISL-Textbooks: ISLRTC and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) are translating school textbooks into ISL, expected to be completed by 2026.
PRASHAST App: Launched by NCERT, it screens students for disabilities in schools, enabling early intervention and personalised learning support.

About Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE):
Union Minister– Dr. Virendra Kumar(Constituency- Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS)– Ramdas Athawale (Rajya Sabha- Maharashtra ); B.L. Verma (Rajya Sabha – Uttar Pradesh, UP)